Marketing in politics today

Every elections see new ideas emerging in the way candidates connect with the masses.

This time too is no different.

If we compare the 2014 campaign to the 2019 campaign there are subtle differences between the BJP campaigns.

2014 was more about introducing modi to the masses. Use of technology, leveraging old hands within BJP to supplement his credentials, and Mr Modi's unrelenting hard work and request for support to general populace felt from the heart and people reeling from inaction and ineptitude gave Mr Modi a resounding chance to perform.

This time we see the campaign completely centered around their biggest mascot himself. It's a big risk for Mr Modi, because if he fails it's all on him. He has employed traditional with the digital. Town hall formats, direct issue based conversations and relentless last mile campaign are the tools this time.

Congress on the other hand has changed the approach. They realised that Mr Rahul Gandhi is no match for Mr Modi in traditional speeches. So we  see him using more direct engagement platforms in colleges etc. to connect with youth. Ms priyanka Gandhi who is a more natural speaker and gets instant connect with grassroots people wherever she goes is employing her charms to connect with voters around her.

One thing is clear, whether Congress wins this time or not, she is someone who will bounce back when her time comes. Her easygoing speaking, ability to deliver hard punches in a soft voice are definitely reassuring to the voters she meets. In today's campaign in Assam the way she connected with crowd and put full support on the local candidate is quite different from how Mr Modi is dealing with his campaign. To my mind this will pay off for Congress in time to come and it will be interesting to see how things pan out.

The way things are going time isn't far when all major candidates will have to come for open debates in the format used in America and some other western countries.

It'll definitely be an interesting watch to see Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi take on each other in such a format, not to mention the mahgathbandhan leaders like Ms Banerjee, mr akhilesh yadav and others.

As marketing gets slicker in poll campaigns voters need to become smarter to shift through the makeup and realise the real picture to make an informed choice.

Indian politics : The Apathy of leaders in the future.

The election season is here, and how!

No one could have predicted the Pulwama Attack, and definitely not the airstrike against Pakistan on their own soil! The surge in nationalistic sentiments post the event have also changed the narrative of the pre election discourse.

Given the BJP offensive on nationalism, the congress represented by Mrs Priyanka Gandhi & Mr Rahul Gandhi have realised that it's a do or die situation for the Congress this time. They have realised that they need to come back to power, at any cost, whether their own or of the country.

The congress president has been painstakingly putting out one idea a night since the past few days, promising seemingly impossible dreams, doles & dough.  Direct transfer of Rs 72000 per year to 5 crore families means a direct cost to the country of Rs 3.6 lac crore! To manage the same, congress leaders have suggested that the money will be recovered through higher taxes on the middle class.

What they have failed to mention is the crushing impact it will have over the next 3 years on the Indian economy. With 5 crore families getting 72000 surplus income, there will be an upsurge in rural demand, and prices of fruits, vegetables etc will see a big rise. To compound the problem, the additional burden on the middle class will necessitate raising the wages, and make India more costly in global competitiveness. The twin impact of both will be high inflation, low expansion, and possibly job cuts in face of a slowing economy/low growth in real income.

Since the past 3 months I have been observing Rahul Gandhi, and found him to a far more mature face than before. Not getting into unnecessary spats, and focusing attention on creating his own narrative. There was a brief period when I actually started thinking maybe, just maybe, he may have some sense in what he says.

But the recent comments and promises by him on social media, and finally through release of the Congress Manifesto, I was flabbergasted by the extent of promises they have made to the Indian populace.

Congress has identified the opposition voice in every sphere and tried to capitalise on the same by offering them whatever they have wanted. To name a few :
1. Low jobs : They will fill all government vacancies
2. Retired army personnel : We will offer jobs in CRPF
3. Low farmer income : We will offer direct cash to you
4. Angel Tax: We will abolish the same
5. AFSPA : We will water it down/abolish same
6. J&K : We will reduce army and have unconditional talks

What the above tells me that in the quest for power, he has shown reckless abandon towards the future of the country, and promised whatever it takes, to be able to get attention and turn that attention into votes.

To me, this in itself, disqualifies him to be a PM candidate. A PM candidate has to continuously think of whats best for the country & its citizens regardless of what is considered to be good or bad.

Mr Modi, on his part has been continuing on his offensive on nationalism, past work, and future promise of his sheer hard work, regardless of what Congress says.

Among all this noise between the Congress, BJP & the Mahagathbandhan, what worries me more is far deeper.

If we take a step back and look at the political landscape, I see the following :

1. Congress - A Dynasty trying to save their hold on the Indian Political landscape, whatever the cost.

2. BJP - A party trying to change the narrative by capitalising on the opportunity to polarise votes on lines of nationalism or religion coupled with development targets.

3. Regional parties trying to remove the idea of BJP/Modi who has projected himself to be the only National Leader capable of delivering the goods. These regional parties are polarising voters through their own agenda of polarising people on basis of caste, creed, regional identity & religion.

4. Fringe leaders like Kanhaiya, Hardik, Jignesh, Ghelani who are fanning communal/caste identities in their areas of influence trying to win voters through all sorts of Political Maths.

When we see the above, and really think about it, I fear that once we have lost out on a mass leader like Modi in maybe the next 10-15 years, what kind of people really are there to take us forward?

On this day, we have rabble rousing leaders like Owaisi, Ghelani, Mehbooba, Kanhaiya etc each of whom have an agenda, which is not necessarily nationalistic. At least their public meetings dont tell us that.

Congress, on its part, seems to be unable to find a real, long term viable solution, as the current manifesto that they have released seems like one where they are ready to let go of everything. Economic stability, J&K, Chinese disputed territories, buckling under minority pressures are all on the table as options for the Grand Old Party.

BJP, on its part has leaders, but apart from Modi, at this time, they don't have anyone with the same national appeal, performance graph or grasp on the political mindscape to take over. Younger leaders like Smriti Irani, Youth leader Anurag etc are all ok, but seemingly not PM material.

Maybe we will see entry of better viable candidates who can come and change the narrative when the opportunity presents itself, because if not, I personally, am extremely worried about the future of India in the 2030's and beyond.

The Game of Thrones

 I have been watching the political theatre from a distance, and closely over the past 2 months, at times bemused by the happenings.

1. AAP leaving Power at Delhi, and coming up in Full blown election gear : Arvind Kejriwal left his CM chair at Delhi and got into full electioneering form. His unabashed attempt at employing all tactics his rivals have been doing since independence is there for all to see and understand.

At least he should have the good sense to finally accept, that AAP is trying to take power, in any manner possible.

However, the Indian middle class voter is not happy at how they have seemingly cheated them, and we can expect a wide movement of their votes back to BJP. This means, AAP is going to cut into Congress more than BJP this time, and we are looking at a washout in these elections barring a few good candidates like Gul Panag, who may be able to get good votes in cities like Chandigarh.

2. Regional Parties : From Didi to Amma,  They have been blowing their trumpets on how the regional federation will take power at the centre with tacit backing by the BJP/Congress and they will be running the country for the next five years. With Didi even agreeing on national television, she is willing to not attempt for PM’s position, if a third front does become  a reality.

However, its easier said than done. The regional parties are themselves facing a tough battle in their home grounds, owing to all parties fielding contestants, either to win, or to cut votes.

3. Congress : They have all  agreed that they have to lose. Most are mentally prepared, and those that aren’t, are only trying to put up a brave face in the media to at least ensure they are alive.
However, its too early to write off the grand old party.
Let’s not forget Sonia is a mastermind. And she is capable of delivering a master stroke depending on how the chips fall.

4. BJP : Narendra modi has only increased his grip on the Party which fancies itself as the next government in waiting, with senior leaders already behaving like ministers, and packing bags to move to delhi.

He has been systematically approaching each state, district, tehsil and marking out his plan objectively. To ensure he doesn't mess up at his best, and possibly, the only chance he will get to become Prime Minister of India.

His lieutenants are doing a commendable job  at making sure, they are able to get every math right.

It appears he is able to take the right steps, as his rivals are increasingly worried. Especially in the crucial states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar & Rajasthan. He is also going ahead and taking some unpopular decisions in order to ensure support in pockets where otherwise they don’t stand a chance, like Karnataka, where they have added Sri Rama Sena Chief Pramod Muthalik in an attempt to garner votes., or Barmer where he stuck to his guns and gave the seat to the ex-congressman to ensure victory for BJP.

They are very clear, just because a Hindu is chief of a Hindu organization, there is no reason why he cannot be a supporter of the Bharatiya Janata Party ideology. While many may not be convinced by the argument, I would say its better they are part of the BJP and in control, rather than outside the BJP and creating problems!

Also, I am given to understand, this time, BJP’s choice of leaders/nominees in UP are very good and they are going to come up with Surprisingly good numbers. On the other side, Mayawati is expected make good gains at SP’s expense.

BJP is also expected to increase vote shares nationally, thus giving them a lease of life in states where till now they do not have a good presence.

Jagan has already said he is going to support whoever has the best chance of making a government at the centre, as long as they agree to give funds to Seemandhara. Trinamool is also expected to give outside support to BJP in case they are unable to form a federal front, but only if BJP gives West Bengal the fresh lease of life in form of Money.

Karnataka BJP has a better chance this time, with Yedurappa with them.

On the whole, it seems Narendra Modi has made a decent effort at cobbling together  a set of processes, people and clever media management to ensure victory.

All said and done, the Indian Populace has the best chance yet, what with Online voter registrations, so much of youth engagement at various levels like online, social, TV, nukkad sabhas, which till now have been largely within the lower strata of the population and a few inclined towards politics.

Hence it is our duty to ensure a decisive victory for whichever party we chose to elect to power.

India needs a strong party with a decisive leader on the throne. Period.